PKR may need to try harder if it aims to taint the squeaky clean image of BN Hulu Selangor candidate P Kamalanathan.  

Among the ‘dirt’ which has been slowly making its way in Pakatan Rakyat ceramah rounds is an allegation that Kamalanathan was dropped as councillor in the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) due to incompetence.

True to his profession, the public relations specialist was unfazed and responded to the allegations in a nonchalant but forthright manner.

NONE “I was never dropped (from the post). I did my work well... No, I was not dropped,” he told reporters at a press conference after his nomination today.    

Kamalanathan explained that he was asked to forgo his position in 2006 to make way for a party member of higher ranking.  

“In 2006, we had two division (chiefs in MIC Selangor) who should have been given the councillor position and I was asked to give way.

“You can go and check with the municipal council whether I did my work or not,” he said.  

Kamalalanthan was Selayang councillor from 2004 to 2006.  

Pakatan has also gone out to attack the BN candidate for being a reject as he had lost in his bid for the MIC Selayang Youth chief post.

Samy’s not my relative

Kamalanathan, who is also party information chief, also quashed rumours that he is a close relation of MIC party president S Samy Vellu.  

“If (I was related to Samy Velly) then I would have already been somebody the moment I became a party member. I wouldn’t have to wait for 26 years,” he said.  

When asked to verify word that their mothers were in the same dance troupe, he answered: “Is that wrong?”

He also refuted claims that Samy had favoured him as information chief for reasons other than his abilities.

He said that he had used his position in MIC Selayang and in MIC Putera to emphasise new media, and that this had impressed the party boss.

NONE Kamalanathan is currently the appointed MIC Putera chief.  

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that BN is prepared to "take the bull by its horns" during the by-election campaign which kicks off today.

"We won't run away from allegations. We will explain... I'm not worried, our candidate has a clean record - he is a workaholic, he has all the qualifications, and even a beautiful wife," he quipped.